India and Somalia Hold First Foreign Office Consultations to Address Maritime Security
India and Somalia discuss maritime piracy and security in their first Foreign Office Consultations held in Mogadishu.
Mogadishu, November 15 (Daily Kiran) : India and Somalia conducted their inaugural Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Mogadishu on November 15, focusing on rising incidents of maritime piracy and the need for enhanced security measures. This meeting emphasized the importance of safeguarding ships and crew members from hijacking threats.
The Indian delegation was led by Suresh Kumar M., Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while Somalia’s delegation was headed by Hamza Aden Hadu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The FOC took place following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two foreign ministries on November 14. During the discussions, both sides reviewed key areas of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), development partnerships, defense, security, consular issues, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people connections.
A significant portion of the dialogue was dedicated to the increasing threats of ship hijacking and maritime piracy, with both nations recognizing the critical need to address these challenges to ensure the safety of maritime personnel. They also strongly condemned all forms of terrorism, asserting that it is unacceptable in any guise and emphasizing the necessity for collaborative efforts against it.
Furthermore, the two parties exchanged views on regional and international issues, appreciating the coordination and collaboration between their countries in multilateral forums, including the United Nations.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India is one of Somalia’s three largest trading partners and a trusted development ally. Many Somali citizens prioritize India for medical treatment and higher education opportunities.
The ministry expressed that this institutional arrangement would further strengthen the ties between the two nations. Both sides also agreed to hold the next FOC meeting in India on a mutually decided date.
On the day prior to the consultations, Sripriya Rangnathan, Secretary for Consular, Passport, Visa, and Overseas Indian Affairs, met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to convey greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Mohamud reminisced about his past ties with India, including his visit in 2015.
